Resources for Undergraduates

Though the Institute serves the entire university community, the College is at its heart. Providing Columbia and Barnard undergraduates with a variety of opportunities to learn about Jewish studies and Israel – in all their complexity and diversity – Supporting our students is a central mission of the Institute. We are proud to be teaching and training the next generation of students in the field, from expansive course offerings in the classroom to programs both on campus and abroad. From our Undergraduate Israel Fellowship to guest lecturers presenting on a wide range of topics, our students are engaged with the study of the diversity of Jewish experience and the totality of Israeli history, literature, culture, and geopolitics. If you have any questions about the Institute and its programs, please email iijs@columbia.edu.

I’m new to Columbia. Is there a way for me to take Jewish Studies classes?

Yes. Columbia offers Jewish Studies courses throughout the academic year. Here’s a list of all the courses being offered so far in the 2020-2021 academic year. You can also see a list and bios of the IIJS faculty who teach on Jewish Studies subjects here.

Wow! They look really interesting. Is there a Jewish Studies major?

While there is no Jewish Studies major, you can get a Special Concentration in Jewish Studies. The special concentration in Jewish studies is designed for students who wish to gain a broad-based knowledge of Jewish studies. It enables undergraduates to acquire a background in the most important aspects of Jewish culture, religion, civilization, and history in an interdisciplinary setting. And if you’ve taken 10 points in Hebrew and/or Yiddish, you are halfway there! (If you’re a Barnard College student, check out the Barnard Jewish Studies page and/or reach out to Prof. Beth Berkowitz.)

I know I just started college but I really wanted to get my M.A. in Jewish Studies. Where do I start?

Funny you ask. We have a B.A./M.A. program where you can earn both degrees in five years. The M.A. in Jewish Studies is designed for students interested in deepening their knowledge of Jewish history, religion, literature, and Israel. Students considering careers in Jewish-related fields, such as teaching, administration, librarianship, journalism, and writing, are especially encouraged to apply. You can get more info here.

I heard the Institute has some fellowship opportunities, with some financial support. Can you tell me more?

We currently have two fellowships, and we hope it’ll be safe to run them both again in Summer 2021. Our first is the Undergraduate Israel Fellowship. IIJS Israel Fellows awards fellowships in support of business-related internships; academic and/or research-based projects; immersive language programs; and/or university-offered classes over the course of a summer in Israel. The second is the Naomi Fellowship. The Naomi Prawer Kadar Fellowship is an excellent opportunity to enhance your Yiddish studies at Columbia through a Yiddish Study Abroad Program. The Naomi Fellowship includes both enrolling in the Naomi Prawer Kadar International Yiddish Summer Program at Tel Aviv University in the summer and in the “Exploring Yiddishland” study trip to Poland, led by a Columbia faculty member. Learn more about both programs here.

OK. This is all great but I just want to fulfill my language requirement.

Well, you came to the right place! Columbia is home to fantastic Hebrew and Yiddish programs. If you have specific questions, please reach out Dr. Naama Harel and Dr. Agnieszka Legutko, respectively. (And be sure to ask about taking the required language placement tests before you enroll in your first language courses!)

I’m not really interested in formally studying anything Jewish Studies related. Is there a way for me to interact with Institute in a more low-key way?

We hear you. You have a lot of coursework. You can always join one of our public events to get a little taste of what Jewish Studies has to offer. Best part, no quizzes or papers. :)

I’m a little overwhelmed. This is too much information. Is there someone I can just talk to?

Sure, just contact Isabelle Levy at iijs@columbia.edu. She’s pretty friendly and will help you navigate Jewish Studies at Columbia & Barnard.

Ohhh. One more question. I heard Columbia has an awesome collection of Jewish stuff at the Library, how can I learn more?

Oh yes, Columbia’s Norman E. Alexander Jewish Studies Library Collection is headed up by Michelle Margolis Chesner. She is a wealth of knowledge and can share so many one-of-kind manuscripts, books, gravestones —- seriously! If you ever have a question about materials for a Jewish Studies research paper, she’s the right person to ask!